There are many reasonably priced and delicious foods in the region compared to Tokyo, and Morioka jaja-men is another one I would like to recommend.
Hm? What is Morioka jaja-men? Many people may be wondering.
Morioka jaja-men is a noodle dish made of wheat noodles like udon noodles and topped with non-sweet meat miso and cucumber, etc., perfect for the hot summer season.
It has also been loved by the noodle-loving citizens of Morioka for more than 60 years, and each of the more than 40 restaurants has various characteristics to keep you coming back.
In addition, it has become a popular way for locals to enjoy the dish by leaving a little bit of the noodle before finishing it and arranging it as “Chee Tang Tang.
In this article, I will explain the history of Morioka jaja-men, its appealing points, recommended restaurants and menus, and sightseeing spots in the area, while also sharing my own experiences.
I hope you will find this article a good opportunity to learn about Morioka jaja-men.
How was Morioka Jaja-men born in the first place?
Morioka jaja-men was originally created by Kansei Takashina, who returned from Manchuria, China, shortly after World War II, and adapted the “jaja-men” he had eaten there.
In 1953, he opened a restaurant called “Pailong,” and from there it spread throughout the local area.
It is characterized by its unique meat miso paste and thick flat noodles, and is considered one of the three most popular noodles in Morioka.
Why did Morioka jaja-men take root in Morioka as a local menu item?
Morioka jaja-men was inexpensive and hearty, and became popular mainly among students and workers.
It also spread throughout the region as more and more restaurants derived from “Pailong” and began to compete in terms of flavor individuality.
Furthermore, the unique food culture of “Chee Tang Tang,” in which eggs and broth are added after eating, also attracted people, and the dish took root as a local delicacy.
Heh. I see that the origin of this dish is a Japanese version of jarred noodles. Thank goodness it’s inexpensive but hearty…
Three Attractions of Morioka Jaja-men
I have summarized some of the attractions of Morioka Jaja-men.
The fun of being able to customize it to your own taste
One of the most appealing features of Morioka jaja-men is the ability to customize the flavor to your own taste.
Vinegar, garlic, raayu, and special miso are available on the table, and you can freely combine them to create your own ideal flavor.
Since each dish has a different flavor, many repeat customers come back and discover something new each time they try it.
The fact that you can enjoy “experimenting with flavors” along with the food is a unique and attractive point for foreign visitors to Japan.
The unique culture of “Chee Tang Tang” for the end of the meal
One of the most attractive features of Morioka jaja-men is that you can customize the taste to your liking.
Vinegar, garlic, raayu, and special miso are available on the table, and you can freely combine them to create your own ideal flavor.
Because you can enjoy a different flavor each time, many repeat customers come back and discover something new each time they try the dish.
The ability to enjoy “experimenting with flavors” along with the food is a unique and attractive point for foreign visitors to Japan.
The local specialty of being one of the three most popular noodles in Morioka
Morioka jaja-men is a local delicacy representing Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, and is referred to as one of the “Morioka Three Great Noodles” along with Morioka cold noodles and wanko soba.
It is also popular as a home-style dish among the locals, and there are many restaurants specializing in it.
It is often cited as one of the reasons to visit Morioka as a tourist destination, and is widely known as a food culture rooted in the region.
For travelers, it is a valuable experience to get a taste of Morioka’s lifestyle and history through local flavors.
Indeed. The culture of “Chee Tang Tang,” which you order at the end of the meal that you can arrange to your liking, is very unique…
My recommendation for Morioka jaja-men restaurants
In this article, I will introduce some of my favorite Morioka Jaja-men restaurants and their recommended menus.
My recommendation for Morioka jaja-men restaurants
My recommendation for Morioka jaja-men restaurants
Pailong Main Restaurant
✅ Recommended Points
- Known as the originator of Morioka jaja-men, Pailong Main Restaurant began as a food stall in the late 1950s and continues to be loved by locals and tourists alike.
- The noodles are characterized by their sticky flat noodles and secret meat miso paste made with more than a dozen ingredients, and you can adjust the flavor to your liking by adding vinegar, raayu (Chinese red chili oil), and garlic.
- After the meal, it is standard to finish with a soup called “Chee Tang Tang,” which is made with raw eggs and boiled water.
- The restaurant’s retro atmosphere, lined with celebrity autographs, is another of its charms.
✅ Recommended menu
- Jaja-men (medium)
- Jaja-men (medium) is a dish of flat noodles topped with secret miso paste, chopped cucumbers, and green onions, and you can adjust the flavor to your liking by adding vinegar, raayu, or garlic.
- After the meal, it is recommended to finish with “Chee Tang Tang” (extra charge), which is made with raw egg and boiled water.
Kojang Odori Branch
✅ Recommended Points
- Kojang Odori Branch is a restaurant specializing in jajamen, located a 15-minute walk from Morioka Station.
- The meat miso, a blend of more than 20 different ingredients, is low in garlic and popular among women.
- There is a jar of meat miso on the table, and you can add more to suit your taste.
- Open until late, it is the perfect place to finish off a night of drinking.
✅ Recommended menu
- Jaja-men (medium)
- The “Jaja-men (medium)” has a deep flavor of meat miso with a hint of red miso, which is mixed with soft and chewy noodles.
- You can also adjust the flavor to your liking by adding more meat miso on the table.
Jaja-men Akiwo
✅ Recommended Points
- Jaja-men Akiwo is a small store with only counter seats in a shopping arcade in Morioka City, but it is well-loved by the locals.
- The meat miso is characterized by its mild flavor and low garlic content.
- Vinegar, raayu (Chinese chili oil), pickled green chili peppers in soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and ginger are available on the table, allowing customers to adjust the flavor to their own liking.
- The first egg for “Chee Tang Tang” is provided free of charge and can be finished off with broth with broth added.
✅ Recommended menu
- Jaja-men (medium)
- The “Jaja-men (ordinary)” is made with firm, smooth, custom-made noodles and mild meat miso, and is served with red ginger and grated ginger for a refreshing taste.
- The restaurant also offers a wide variety of odd menus, allowing customers to try unique combinations such as “natto jaja-men” and “motsu jaja-men”.
Oh. Each restaurant has its own unique atmosphere and menu recommendations, so it’s hard to decide where to go…
Column: “Chee Tang Tang” is the best way to finish Morioka Jaja Noodles!
Chee Tang Tang, a popular end to Morioka jaja-men, is a soup to be enjoyed after the noodles are finished.
To eat it, crack a raw egg into the remaining meat miso and a small amount of noodles in the bowl, stir well, and tell the waiter, “Chee Tang Tang, please.
The soup is then poured over the hot boiled water and served with green onions and additional meat miso.
This soup blends the flavor of the meat miso with the mellowness of the egg to create a satisfying after-meal experience.
You can also adjust the flavor to your own liking with salt and raayu (Chinese chili oil).
Chee Tang Tang” is a dish of jaja-men that can be enjoyed twice in one dish, and is unique to Morioka’s culinary culture.
Heh. It’s a satisfying after-meal soup, and with the egg in it, it sounds like it would be a good tonic…
Spots to stop by while eating Morioka Jaja-men
Here are three recommended places to stop by in Morioka during your meal.
✅ Ishiwari-zakura (Ishiwari cherry tree)
Ishiwari-zakura, which rises in the front yard of Morioka District Court, is a single cherry tree that grows by splitting a huge granite rock in half.
The tree is said to be over 360 years old, and its beautiful pale pink blossoms bloom in mid-April each year, attracting many tourists.
Its vitality and majestic appearance make it a landmark that evokes the mystery of nature.
Located within walking distance from Morioka Station, it is a perfect photo spot for a walking course after enjoying jaja-men.
